The world of wrestling is dynamic, with constant changes in formats, rising stars, and program developments. This article delves into the achievements of wrestlers like Adrian Meza, the future of Iowa State's wrestling program, and a detailed look at the Super 32 tournament.
Let's start by examining the wrestling landscape and some of the changes happening within it.
Changes in Wrestling Tournament Formats
There have been discussions and concerns about the new formats being implemented in wrestling tournaments. One comment described the situation as a "crapshow," noting that sectionals used to have 8-9 teams with solid competition at each weight class. Now, some brackets have byes into the semifinals, meaning a wrestler only needs to win one match to qualify for state. There is a suggestion to reduce the number of weight classes or go to two classes instead of increasing the number of wrestlers at state.
Another suggestion is that instead of byes, round one losers should wrestle again later in that round. The goal is to seed all 24 wrestlers to ensure the two best wrestlers meet in the finals, but the current format is seen as flawed.
One opinion is that the only factor in any decision should be whether or not it increases participation in the sport.
Read also: The story of Adrian DeJesus in high school wrestling
The participation rate has been declining in recent years. The addition of weights has led to many duals being forfeit parades, and many teams now have only 2-6 wrestlers, creating problems with practice partners.
Iowa State Wrestling Program
The Iowa State wrestling program had a primary goal this season: to finish with a team trophy at the NCAA Championships. The Cyclones finished three points shy of the third-place trophy. Still, the fourth-place finish − behind four All-Americans and national champion David Carr − was their best since 2010 when the Cyclones took third. Those four All-Americans were Iowa State's most since 2009 when the program also had four.
Key departures from Iowa State wrestling include David Carr and Julien Broderson. Carr will go down as one of the best Cyclone wrestlers ever. He was instrumental in recruiting, helping bring in guys like Yonger Bastida, which led to getting Anthony Echemendia.
Here's a look at the incoming freshman class for Iowa State wrestling:
- Canon Acklin - four-time Oklahoma state champion (projected at 133 pounds)
- Sawyer Bartelt - No. 9 pound-for-pound recruit in 2024 class per flowrestling, four-time Florida state champion (projected at 197 or heavyweight)
- Gabe Carver - Class 3A finalist in 2024, three-time state medalist at Urbandale High School (projected 165 pounds)
- Daniel Herrera - Rated No. 60 (Matscouts and No. 62 (flowrestling) nationally. Two-time California state champion, one-time Iowa state champion and never lost a high school match (projected at heavyweight)
- Owen Helgeson - Two-time Iowa state medalist (projected at 165 pounds)
- Adrian Meza - 16U freestyle national champion, rated No. 46 in flowrestling's pound-for-pound rankings (projected at 133 pounds)
- Kane Naaktgeboren - No. 91 nationally raked prospect by Matscouts, four-time Iowa state medalists and one-time state champion (projected at 157 pounds)
- Tucker Stangel - Two-time Iowa state champion with Osage High School, four-time state medalist. Undefeated in final two seasons of high school.
This is a really deep and talented recruiting class for the Cyclones. Of this group, Bartelt has the best chance to start right away with Broderson's graduation and no set-in-stone replacement. Meza, Herrera and Nakktgeboren also have strong resumes, but they have tough-to-crack weight classes going into next season and will likely redshirt.
Read also: Discover the story of Casey Swiderski
Here is the projected lineup for the 2024-25 Iowa State wresting program:
- 125 - Kysen Terukina/Ethan Perryman
- 133 - Evan Frost
- 141 - Anthony Echemendia
- 149 - Casey Swiderski
- 157 - Paniro Johnson
- 165 - Cody Chittum
- 174 - MJ Gaitan
- 184 - Tate Naaktgeboren/Caleb Helgeson
- 197 - Nando Villaescusa/McCrae Hagarty/Sawyer Bartelt/Rowan Udell
- 285 - Yonger Bastida
With three All-Americans from this season returning, a bona fide national-title contender in Bastida, a pair of wrestlers in Gaitan and Johnson who have reached the blood round of the NCAAs, and blue-chip talent like Chittum, the 2024-25 team can reach the bar Bastida set and probably surpass it if the right things fall into place.
Super 32 Tournament Breakdown
The Super 32 tournament is a highly competitive event featuring over 60% of the nation's top-twenty-ranked wrestlers. This includes eight of 14 #1 ranked wrestlers and six weights where the two highest-ranked wrestlers could face off for the top spot.
Super 32 Wrestling Highlights - 2018
Here's a look at some of the weight classes and contenders:
106 lbs
- #1 Christian Castillo
- #3 Seth Mendoza
- #5 Dominic Munaretto
Synopsis: The story of this weight was a potential showdown between #1 Christian Castillo and Fargo champ #2 Jayden Raney, but with Raney moving up to 113 lbs, we’ll have to wait to see that one. Now, the two highest-ranked guys are Castillo and #3 Seth Mendoza whose rivalry has been excellent. Prediction: 1) Christian Castillo 2) Seth Mendoza 3) Dominic Munaretto 4) Keanu Dillard 5) Aaron Seidel 6) Michael Romero 7) Tyler Dekraker 8) Ignacio Villasenor
Read also: Sectional Wrestling Tournament Details
113 lbs
- #1 Anthony Knox
- #2 Bo Bassett
- #2 (106) Jayden Raney
Synopsis: One of the biggest developments leading into Super 32 a year ago was Anthony Knox's last-minute weight change from 113 lbs to 106 lbs for a showdown with Bo Bassett. The match materialized in fantastic fashion, and we could see it again this year, now with the #1 spot in the country on the line. Prediction: 1) Anthony Knox 2) Bo Bassett 3) Leo DeLuca 4) Jayden Raney 5) Nate Desmond 6) Brandon Morvari 7) Moses Mendoza 8) Nathan Carrillo
120 lbs
- #1 Jax Forrest
- #2 Luke Lilledahl
- #3 Alan Koehler
Synopsis: The top two at this weight are U17 World silver medalist Jax Forrest and U17 World Champ Luke Lilledahl. The two met at Journeymen during the first weekend of October with Forrest snagging the 9-6 victory. Prediction: 1) Jax Forrest 2) Luke Lilledahl 3) Marcus Blaze 4) Jordyn Raney 5) Gauge Botero 6) Jake Crapps 7) Alan Koehler 8) Kale Peterson
126 lbs
- #2 Benjamin Davino
- #4 Caden Horwath
- #5 Mason Gibson
Synopsis: Even without #1 Nate Jesuroga, 126 will still be one of the deepest weights at Super 32. Seven top ten wrestlers and 14 of the 20 ranked wrestlers will battle for the Super 32 belt. Prediction: 1) Ben Davino 2) Caden Horwath 3) Mason Gibson 4) Braeden Davis 5) Luke Stanich 6) Aden Valencia 7) Tyler Knox 8) Drew Gorman
